title: Radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres for pancreatic cancer liver metastases: results from a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with liver metastases from pancreatic adenocarcinomas have a dismal prognosis. Surgical resection remains the only curative option but is appropriate for only a minority of patients as a treatment option. This is the first study to examine the safety and efficacy of radioembolization with yttirum-90 microspheres for these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with histologically proven pancreatic carcinoma liver metastases referred to a single institution from 2006-2009 were included in the study. After radioembolization, follow-up abdominal computed tomography scans were performed to assess response according to the Response Criteria in Solid Tumors guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven patients were identified from our prospectively collected data base. Of the five patients with available computed tomography follow-up, 2 patients achieved a partial response and 1 patient had stable disease. One patient with partial response survived for nearly 15 months after radioembolization therapy. No patient experienced major post-radioembolization complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres may have a useful role in treating patients with pancreatic carcinoma liver metastases in a multimodality setting. Results of the current study warrant further investigation of this novel treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of New South Wales, St. George Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Tristan D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Lourens
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bester
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012107:Research Design; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015021:Yttrium Radioisotopes